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Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso revealed that he decided to not include Higuain in the squad for the game following a disappointing performance in training.

'I want to be honest with you all. We had a poor training session today due to all these rumours. We spoke after the training session and I did not consider him ready for this game,' he told a press conference.

'I accept his decision. Surely he could have done more and maybe we could have helped him fit in better.'

Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso left Higuain out after a disappointing display in training

Gattuso added that reports linking Higuain with Chelsea have not helped Milan's preparations for the Genoa game.

He said: 'Right now we have to work with professionalism and determination, all these rumours have not helped us lately and we have to look ahead'.

Higuain, who has scored six goals in 15 Serie A games this season, is set to provide Chelsea with a much-needed attacking option.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri started Eden Hazard up front in the 2-0 defeat away by Arsenal on Saturday but the Belgian was unable to make a major impact at the Emirates.

Higuain is set to join Chelsea on loan and will bolster Maurizio Sarri's attacking resources

Olivier Giroud has often featured as a substitute this season but he has still mustered just one goal in the Premier League, while Alvaro Morata, who has been the subject of much criticism, has been heavily linked with Atletico Madrid.

Argentina international Higuain is currently on loan at Milan from Juventus and previously worked with Sarri at Napoli.

Chelsea are currently in fourth place in the Premier League and have found the net on 40 occasions this season, 14 times fewer than leaders Liverpool.